Clinical Assessment Program for Physicians Adds Measure Sets
Using DO-Online, practicing DOs participating in the AOA Clinical Assessment Program (CAP) for Physicians can now enter their data for three measure sets: coronary artery disease, women’s health screening and diabetes mellitus. The measure set for coronary artery disease became available for data entry in April, while the measure set for women’s health screening became available in May. Since January, DOs have been entering their data for the diabetes measure set.
A Web-based performance measurement program, CAP for Physicians allows DOs to compare their clinical outcome measures with those of their peers and with national benchmarks. Each measure set has specific clinical indicators, which are checklists of best practices DOs should follow when screening or treating patients.
By participating in CAP, DOs can identify opportunities for improving patient care. In addition, DOs who complete the data entry requirements receive 20 hours of AOA Category 1-B continuing medical education credit per measure set.
“By participating in CAP, DOs are becoming better prepared as health insurance companies, Congress, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and other entities implement pay-for-performance programs,” emphasizes 2005-06 AOA President Philip L. Shettle, DO. “I encourage practicing DOs to register for CAP.”
Registering for CAP
Osteopathic physicians who are members of the AOA may participate in CAP for Physicians free of charge. CAP participants need only a computer with access to the Internet. After logging on to DO-Online at www.do-online.org, DOs can start using the program by clicking on “CAP for Physicians” in the left-hand navigation bar.
For more information on using CAP for Physicians, contact Arlene Sattler, the AOA’s Manager of Quality Programs, by calling 312-202-8063 or 800-621-1773, ext. 8063, or by sending e-mail to asattler@osteopathic.org.
